King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 12:7 Mean?

2 Chronicles 12:7 in the King James Version says “And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled the...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. some: or, a little while”

2 Chronicles 12:7 · KJV

Context

5

Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

6

Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.

7

And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. some: or, a little while

8

Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

9

So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Divine discipline for unfaithfulness, mercy through humility. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וּבִרְא֤וֹת1 of 23

“saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

יְהוָ֨ה2 of 23

“And when the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּ֣י3 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִכְנְע֖וּ4 of 23

“They have humbled”

H3665

properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish

הָיָה֩5 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

דְבַר6 of 23

“themselves the word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָ֨ה7 of 23

“And when the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל8 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שְׁמַעְיָ֧ה׀9 of 23

“came to Shemaiah”

H8098

shemajah, the name of twenty-five israelites

לֵאמֹ֛ר10 of 23

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נִכְנְע֖וּ11 of 23

“They have humbled”

H3665

properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish

לֹ֣א12 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אַשְׁחִיתֵ֑ם13 of 23

“themselves therefore I will not destroy”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

וְנָֽתַתִּ֨י14 of 23

“them but I will grant”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָהֶ֤ם15 of 23
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

כִּמְעַט֙16 of 23

“them some”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

לִפְלֵיטָ֔ה17 of 23

“deliverance”

H6413

deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion

וְלֹֽא18 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִתַּ֧ךְ19 of 23

“shall not be poured out”

H5413

to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify

חֲמָתִ֛י20 of 23

“and my wrath”

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם21 of 23

“upon Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

בְּיַד22 of 23

“by the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

שִׁישָֽׁק׃23 of 23

“of Shishak”

H7895

shishak, an egyptian king

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 12:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 12:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 34:251 Kings 21:28-29Isaiah 42:25Amos 7:6-8Psalms 79:6Jeremiah 7:20

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 12 →

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